Fitted KYB...

[necromantia]

Well after fitting a dozen superpro bushes, new discs and rotors, I bolt it all back together with the new KYB struts (non adjustable) and it rubs the inside of the tyre. Feck.

So I adjust the camber all the way out and it clears by 4mm at best. I assumed these were direct replacement items for OEM and needed no modifications. Does this seem right?

Car is a VX SS with SL king springs. Tried 235 45 R17 and 245 35 R19. Both rub/clear by the same margin.

Major concern is I go to get a front end alignment done and when camber is adjusted, we are once more rubbing.

Anyone else encountered similar? Help would rock right about now :(

[stockergts]

of offset rims
they should just be a direct bolt in maybe you got the wrong given to you

[necromantia]

Well I have called MANY times and assured they are the correct part. Rims are Genuine Senator Signature and Factory VX SS so offset shouldn't be an issue.

How much clearance would stock ones have? 4mm all the way adjusted seems wrong.

Basically got told to call KYB technical line and see what happens.

It seems the spring seat!? Starts sooner, almost 10mm sooner on the KYB then it does on the factory struts and so the clearance is reduced. Can't understand how these are sold as direct replacements :/

Don't want to use spacers either...

[OPTIMUS]

i had kyb excel g fitted a while ago with 20s no rubbin whatsoever

[2hektik]

Exact same thing happen to me. I have a vx ss with kyb excel-g and vx gts rims. 245/35/ r19 tyres and it rubs against the spring seat. Gonna try some 5mm spacers. Maybe needa get different size tyres. Pita

[Souljah]

Hi mate.

I had the same problem as you when i fitted KYB struts to the front of my VY. Had to get the camber wound back a fair bit just to have them clear the standard VY 17's with a 235/45/17.
Just get the wheel aligner guy to do his best without getting the tyre to scrub. Unless your going to track it you probably won't even notice the difference.
I have since upgraded to a factory strut with a Bilstein insert which gives ample room.

[necromantia]

Thanks gents, will update when I have an outcome. Why the hell would it be made like this? Pretty frustrated, could understand if I was doing something wild but replacing old struts should be trivial. I wish I read a thread like this before, would not have gone down this path!

[necromantia]

Had to get the ball pein out and "massage" the strut a little in the end. Official KYB technical help said it's basically a stronger style of strut, which means the seat is reinforced and starts slightly earlier than OEM.

Felt pretty wrong to hammer a brand new item but I have about 7mm clearance now, camber is still adjusted out, will get an alignment tomorrow and see how it goes.

I created another thread asking advice on price and said I didnt want to do this job, hate working on suspension components. Should have listened to myself!

In the end, FWIW I got a 28 point check from pedders that was about 3.5k for shocks and bushes (not coil overs). I had already put QFM pads all round and new DBA slotted rotors up front. The brakes and suspension goods came to $1600 in parts. Can give a more detail list if anyone is interested?

Also, while I'm at it, anyone know a good place to but engine mounts?

[DaveHAT]

Also, while I'm at it, anyone know a good place to but engine mounts?

BURSONS. Best price for rubber ones that I could find.

[Jamolad]

Damn, wish I can across this thread earlier, and I thought I searched the hell out of fitting tyres without rubbing.

Trying to fit WM Caprice rims with 245-40-18 on my WH that has shortened KYB shocks, and tyre rubs on the inside at the front. Oh well, hopefully the wheel aligner can get them to clear.

Shame as the KYB's are a good price and prior to this I would have recommended them, but not so much now.

[surfwagon]

Had the same happen when fitting the KYB AGX adjustables (pic below) to my senator with std senator rims, sold them and went Kon's instead and very glad I did.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p266/surfwagon/DSC058931600x1200.jpg

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[Jamolad]

Spoke with the place that fitted the KYB's - they said they have only had this problem before when the wheel has wrong offset (these don't) or when guys are trying to fit 20's. They suggested grinding off the part that rubs, but I am not too keen on that.

Am I right in assuming changing to 235 tyres will help a little bit? Could try that then see if alignment will sort it without hammering/grinding, but pain in the arse as got the 245 Kumho's from Tempe Tyres in NSW (I am in SA), so am going to take a hit selling brand new tyres at second hand prices.

Might just be cheaper to look at changing out the KYBs for something that allows me to keep the 245s, as I don't like the idea of modding suspension components with a hammer or grinder.

[CeeVee8]

I have these AGX KYBs with 245's and they are close but dont rub.

[surfwagon]

Some one on one of these forums actually had pics of KYB's that had a hole cut into the seat where mine rubbed and he had no more problems even with 20's.
Unfortunately it wasn't suspension thread just in his ride thread, tried finding but no luck


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[Jamolad]

Cheers for trying Surgwagon.

So general consensus is a slight masaging with ball-pein or grinding of the offending part won't impact the integrity of the component?

[php]

Cheers for trying Surgwagon.

So general consensus is a slight masaging with ball-pein or grinding of the offending part won't impact the integrity of the component?

I'd be returning the KYB's for a full refund as they were sold as "not fit for purpose" under consumer law.

[surfwagon]

I don't think it will hurt the shock, if you heat it first be careful not to heat the tube part of the shock just the spring plate.
From what I could see on my own car the KYB seat sits about 3-5mm lower down than on Monroe struts.
My HSV Monroes and the Monroe GT housings I used for the Koni's clear my Falken452, 245 tyres easily and they are quite a large casing for a 245 tyre.


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[255-LS1]

What crap. Send them back.

[Jamolad]

Cheers again Surfwagon.

Can't really send them back guys - they were put on my car well over a year ago now and have done about 25000km, and I have only just now got around to fitting 18s whereas previously I was riding on the standard wheel/tyre combo (225-55-16) with no dramas. Never told them back then that I intended putting on 18s with 245 width tyres.

Shame that KYB is too short to use as a search term, as this thread could save someone some grief in the future if they are considering KYBs with wider wheels. I should point out these are the non-adjustable ones.

[vxsslsx]

I see on there site there's shocks to suit fe2 and equivalent and a set for cars lowered more than 50mm are both types causing these problems?

[Jamolad]

Not sure, will have to dig out my invoice to see exactly what kind I have.

I didn't want the inconvenience or harshness of a slammed car, so asked for the equivalent of FE2 when lowering my WH. They said Kings Lows HD would do the job, just slightly lower than FE2 but not much in it, and these non-adjustble shorted KYB shocks. Sometimes I wonder if they ended up putting in Super Lows as my car still sits a lot lower than FE2 and lower than a mate's WH that definitely has Lows.

Do the springs have a part number on them? If so might take off a wheel to confirm what I have, and while I am at it will see what ID I can find on the KYBs if I can't dig out my invoice from the suspension mob.

[surfwagon]

Not sure, will have to dig out my invoice to see exactly what kind I have.

I didn't want the inconvenience or harshness of a slammed car, so asked for the equivalent of FE2 when lowering my WH. They said Kings Lows HD would do the job, just slightly lower than FE2 but not much in it, and these non-adjustble shorted KYB shocks. Sometimes I wonder if they ended up putting in Super Lows as my car still sits a lot lower than FE2 and lower than a mate's WH that definitely has Lows.

Do the springs have a part number on them? If so might take off a wheel to confirm what I have, and while I am at it will see what ID I can find on the KYBs if I can't dig out my invoice from the suspension mob.

Both KYB's & Kings should have a part numbers on them.

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[brycieboy]

i also have a set of kyb shocks and they have rub marks on them from the tyre. unsure of modle, but i will check to,

[Jamolad]

Took it to the suspension mob to have the KYB's grinded to accomodate the WM rims. Turns out the issue was the WM Caprice 18s offset (48P) is different to pre-VE offset (not sure why but I always thought VE and VT-VZ had same offset, just different size hub and studs).

Wheels are on now and look bloody good on a WH I reckon. Cheers for the help all.

[surfwagon]

Took it to the suspension mob to have the KYB's grinded to accomodate the WM rims. Turns out the issue was the WM Caprice 18s offset (48P) is different to pre-VE offset (not sure why but I always thought VE and VT-VZ had same offset, just different size hub and studs).

Wheels are on now and look bloody good on a WH I reckon. Cheers for the help all.

You are right 48P is the VT-VZ offset and yes the hub and stud size being the only difference.
My original senator wheels were 48P 19x 8 and my current wheels are 45P 19 x 8 1/2".
So I don't know where your suspension mob are getting there info from.
VR VS HSV's used 40P offset but they only went up to 17" x 8".



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[Jamolad]

hhmmm, interesting. Not sure why they are trying to shift blame to the offset of the wheels when it would appear the KYBs are just no good for wider than stock wheels on the front. Guess they must sell a lot of KYBs. Expected better as they are well respected here in Adelaide.

Not going to kick up a stink but am going to let them know tomorrow that the offset is right, wheels are not the issue and it is the KYBs. They definitely put the blame for rubbing on the wheels being wrong offset, even pointing out that the hub centre had been machined so it could fit my car. Already knew that as I was the one that arranged it, and that has no bearing on the offset of the wheels anyway. Don't expect any of my $85 back for the grinding; just want to let them know that I know the wheels were not the issue, and hopefully in future they might ask people if they intend going larger wheels before recommeding the KYBs.

With the benefit of hindsight wish I had got the shortened Monroes. Hopefully this thread saves a member or two from these hassles in the future when going shortened non-adjustable shocks.

[vxsslsx]

Hmm was just about to buy some new front struts. Will stay away from kybs if they have these issues. Anyone recommended another brand of shock around the same price range? My car has the stock fe2 struts atm with super low springs.

[CeeVee8]

when it would appear the KYBs are just no good for wider than stock wheels on the front.

This is not necessarily true, I have 19x8.5 on the front with no issues. Is your wheel alignment correct ?

[surfwagon]

Hmm was just about to buy some new front struts. Will stay away from kybs if they have these issues. Anyone recommended another brand of shock around the same price range? My car has the stock fe2 struts atm with super low springs.

Try Monroe GT Sports (not GT Gas), they are designed to work with super low springs.


This is not necessarily true, I have 19x8.5 on the front with no issues. Is your wheel alignment correct ?

Don't forget it not just the wheels and alignment that could be out but also differencs in the same size tyres.
My old Yokohama and current Falkens fouled the KYB AGX's but the Kumho KU19's I had in between may have fitted because even though they were the same dimensions they were at least 8-10 narrower (4-5mm each side).


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[Jamolad]

Not sure re the alignment - doesn't pull to any side and steering wheel is centred, but guess that does not necessarily mean all is good there. Getting an alignment later this week, but at a different shop this time as not happy with the crap I have been fed re the wheels being wrong offset. Bit of honesty rather than shifting blame would have had me still using and recommending that shop, as I have sent 2 friends and one family member there in the past 6 months.

[vxsslsx]

I ended up buying and installing these shocks today even though people were having issues with them. I got the ones to suit lowered up to 50mm and I have no rubbing but its very close. With 18" ve sv6 wheels

[vxsslsx]

Does anyone know what that little 8mm bolt on the hub is for I think I may have not adjusted it properly now my wheel alignment is way out and still is after a wheel alignment. It pulls hard to the left. I loosened them to fit the struts.

[surfwagon]

Do you mean the 8 mm bolt that is on the leg that bolts to the strut, if so that is the camber adjustment.
If the bolt is screwed in till tight with leg bolts in place this will next to no camber and if you screw the bolt out and push the leg against the strut then tighten the strut bolts this will give you maximum factory camber.
But you need a wheel alignment machine to tell at what degrees you have it set.
If your wheel aligner doesn't know about that bolt/screw take it elsewhere to some one who will do more than toe and go.
I've seen a car leave a major tyre chain after a supposed wheel alignment with one wheel square and the other with max negative camber.
As mine was next after having some new tyres fitted I asked him about it and he said there was no camber adjustment on all pre VE commodores and that to fix requires strut bending, suffice to say i went to my regular wheel aligner, a proper wheel aligner that adjust everything that is needed even if it means removing the wheel.

[vxsslsx]

Yea that little 8mm bolt that pushes against the lower part of the strut. I took it to Kmart Tyre and auto for the wheel alignment he said it didn't need much adjustment and he said its pulling to the left cause I have bad rear camber and need a camber kit even though it was perfectly fine just before, all I did was change the struts, strut top bearings and put a heavy duty link pin with fresh bushes. It pulls quite hard to the left.

[kblume]

Kmart tyre and auto.. Nuff said.. They should stick to selling fluffy toys. Take it to a proper place that knows what they are doing... Where are you located?

[vxsslsx]

Also I fitted the passenger side first and took it for a test drive still drove nice and straight. Once I fitted the drivers side then it started to pull hard left. Must be a camber issue on the drivers side only.

[vxsslsx]

I'm in Melton vic

[vxsslsx]

I think all they really did was adjust the steering arms :banghead:

[surfwagon]

I think all they really did was adjust the steering arms :banghead:

That is what is called " a toe and go" in that they only adjust the toe in angle so the car steers straight but is not a proper wheel alignment.
Find your self a proper suspension place to do your alignment.
You can visually check your camber from one side to the other on a flat surface and if one wheel visibly different try using the screw to adjust one wheel to match the other as best you can until you get a proper alignment done.

[vxsslsx]

thanks for the info I'll get it done asap it feels weird to drive doesn't handle as good I'll take it too a proper place and get a camber kit put in for the rear at the same time too